Director, LNG Operations

Cheniere Energy, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Cheniere Energy, Inc. is seeking a Director of Operations to oversee LNG facility Production, Maintenance, and Training. The role reports to the Site VP/GM and drives safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.

You will lead cross-functional teams, develop leaders, manage budgets, and align strategies with corporate goals. Strong risk management and industry engagement are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or technically related discipline preferred.
• Minimum 15 years in oil, petrochemical or LNG industries, with 6–8 in management; gas turbine experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to Production, Maintenance, and Training departments to foster collaboration and excellence.
• Lead strategic direction for Production focusing on HSE, efficiency, and regulatory mandates across LNG facilities.
• Develop and execute risk management plans across all departments.
• Oversee long-term planning, budgeting, and KPIs to align resources with goals.
• Collaborate with department heads to implement robust risk mitigation measures.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols and regulatory requirements across operations.
• Establish and optimize budgets per department, ensuring fiscal discipline.
• Foster cross-department collaboration and accountability for operational efficiency.
• Develop operations leadership for continuity and succession.
• Engage with industry associations to capture best practices and represent the company.
• Continuously refine processes to improve efficiency, safety, and compliance.
• Champion employee development and training across the organization.

Skills

Leadership

LNG operations

Regulatory compliance

Budget management

Risk management

Safety protocols

People development

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline

Job description

At Cheniere, we provide the world with safe, reliable energy. But more than that, we provide opportunities for our talented employees to impact their communities every day. Our diversity is key to our continued success and forges a path where our culture supports greater equity and inclusion for our employees, customers and beyond.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Operations is a pivotal leadership role accountable for overseeing the organization's Production, Maintenance and Training departments. Reporting directly to the Site Vice President and General Manager, this role entails achieving HSE and operational excellence, harmonizing operations, optimizing performance, developing leaders, and ensuring regulatory compliance across the entire liquefied natural gas (LNG) liquefaction facility.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provide comprehensive leadership to the Production, Maintenance, and Training departments, fostering collaboration, alignment, and excellence in all operational activities.
• Lead the strategic direction to the Production department, focusing on HSE and operational excellence, enhancing operational efficiencies, and adherence to company policy and regulatory mandates across the LNG import and regasification terminal.
• Develop and execute cohesive strategies that elevate the Training department's proficiency-based learning and development programs, cultivating continuous improvement and technical qualification.
• Oversee the Production, Maintenance, and Training department's long-term planning, budgeting, and key performance indicators, ensuring effective resource allocation and congruence with organizational goals.
• Collaborate closely with department heads to formulate and implement robust risk management plans, identifying potential vulnerabilities and implementing measures to mitigate risks across all departments.
• Ensure strict compliance with safety protocols, operational procedures, and regulatory requisites, guaranteeing the highest standards of safety and adherence to industry regulations.
• Establish, monitor, and optimize budgets for each department, assuring fiscal discipline and resource allocation that aligns seamlessly with overarching strategies.
• Cultivate a culture of cross-departmental teamwork, personal accountability, driving collective innovation, problem-solving, and heightened operational efficiency.
• Develop operations leadership in current, and for future roles, to ensure continuity of succession and safe, reliable operations.
• Active in industry associations to seek external learnings and identify emerging best practices. Act as the organization's representative at industry association meetings and regulatory engagements, championing the Company's interests and contributing to public education on LNG.
• Continuously assess, refine, and enhance operational processes and procedures, striving for greater efficiency, safety, and compliance.
• Champion employee development and training initiatives, creating an environment conducive to skill augmentation and stringent regulatory adherence throughout the organization.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Knowledge:

The Director of Operations brings extensive operational experience in LNG, Refining or Petrochemical industry, demonstrating a profound grasp of integrated plant operations across the production, personnel development, and maintenance domains. The strategic prowess lies in the ability to conceive and execute high-level strategies aimed at elevating technical qualification, operational efficiency, safety protocols, and regulatory adherence. Proficiency in risk assessment, budget oversight, and the establishment of key performance indicators defines strategic leadership, fostering seamless collaboration and streamlined operations. The role of strategic leader extends to an acute understanding of industry regulations, safety protocols, and best practices, establishing stewardship of LNG facility management, capable of propelling continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Skills:

Demonstrated capability to lead and orchestrate multifunctional teams, devise, and implement operational strategies, and champion continuous improvement endeavors. Profound proficiency in regulatory compliance, risk management, and budget management is imperative. Exceptional analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills are prerequisites for this role. The Director of Operations also possesses a deep understanding of people development and the ability to align leadership teams with the business's long-term goals.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Education and Certifications: High School diploma or GED required. Bachelor's degree in engineering or technically related discipline preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 15 years’ experience in the oil, petrochemical or LNG industry, of which 6-8 must be in a management position. Gas Turbine experience is preferred.

DIRECT REPORTS

Yes

FREEDOM TO ACT

The Operations Director is capable of making daily decisions in the overall management of the facility.

WORK CONDITIONS

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to stand, walk, sit, climb stairs, work at height above ground on stairs and catwalks, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk or hear, smell, type, and write.
• Must be able to board a ship via a gangway, climb to the top of a tank (200+ steps), scale vertical steel ladder up to forty feet or more in height, and lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work indoors and outdoors and exposed to year around weather conditions, ocean environment, noise, and occasionally process gases and vapors.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Subject to drug and alcohol testing, per applicable federal regulations or as required by Cheniere.
• Required to pass regularly scheduled physical examinations mandated, per applicable federal regulations or as required by Cheniere.
• Job is performed at a LNG terminal but is subject to time pressures and constraints and is often dependent on input from others.
• All responsibilities must be met in a call-out environment. Occasionally, work may be performed from home, after regular work hours, or on weekends, including holidays.
• Must maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card in good standing status.

ADA JOB REQUIREMENTS

Reasonable accommodations will be made to ensure that the essential functions of the job can be performed and not hinder the employee's performance due to physical or mental disability.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Cheniere Energy is an equal opportunity workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected categories. This includes providing reasonable accommodation if requested for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices.